LB 635 — Authorize the regulation of professional bare-knuckle mixed martial arts, professional mixed martial arts on ice, professional muay thai, amateur muay thai, and amateur kickboxing by the State Athletic Commissioner
Last action — Approved by Governor on May 13, 2025
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✓Introduced
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✓In Committee
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✓Passed Legislature
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✓To Executive
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5Enacted
This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced January 22, 2025. Enacted.
Signed by Governor Jim Pillen (Republican) on May 13, 2025.
Prognosis
Where this bill stands today.
Odds of enactment
HighHow often bills like it became law.
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Enacted
Current position in the legislative process.
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1 sponsor
1 primary, 0 co-sponsors signed on.
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Mixed recorded votes
2 passed, 1 failed in recorded votes so far.
Prognosis reads this bill's own signals — stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes and cross-state momentum. Odds come from a model trained on which bills have become law.
Bill Text
What changed in the latest version
266 added · 12 removedPlain-language change summary
The recent amendment to Bill LB 635 expands the types of combat sports that will be regulated by the State Athletic Commissioner in Nebraska. The bill now includes professional bare-knuckle mixed martial arts, professional mixed martial arts on ice, and amateur muay thai and kickboxing, alongside existing regulations for other combat sports. This change is significant as it aims to create a more comprehensive framework for overseeing a broader range of fighting events, ensuring safety and proper management in these emerging sports.
ER63 ER63 LB635 LB635 MJP2025 -LEGISLATIVE 04/30/2025BILL MJP635 -Approved 04/30/2025by Ethe ANDGovernor RMay AMENDMENTS13, TO2025 LB 635 Introduced by Guereca,Hansen, 7,16. Chairman Enrollment and Review 1. In the Standing Committee amendments, AM399:
a. A BILL FOR AN ACT relating to the State Athletic Commissioner;
Onto pageamend 1,sections line81-8,129, 10,81-8,130, strike81-8,130.01, the81-8,132, new81-8,133, matter81-8,133.01, 81-8,134, 81-8,135, 81-8,138, and reinstate81-8,139, theReissue strickenRevised matter;Statutes of Nebraska;
to authorize the regulation of professional bare-knuckle mixed martial arts, professional mixed martial arts on ice, professional muay thai, amateur muay thai, and b.amateur kickboxing;
Onto pageharmonize 5,provisions; line 13, reinstate the stricken matter and strike ", or";
and into linerepeal 14 strike the neworiginal matter.sections.
Be it enacted by the people of the State of Nebraska, Section 1.
Section 81-8,129, Reissue Revised Statutes of Nebraska, is amended to read:
81-8,129 The State Athletic Commissioner shall have sole direction, management, control, and jurisdiction over all professional mixed martial arts, professional bare-knuckle mixed martial arts, professional mixed martial arts on ice, professional muay thai, professional boxing, professional kickboxing, professional bare-knuckle boxing, and professional sparring matches and exhibitions and all amateur mixed martial arts, amateur muay thai, and amateur kickboxing matches and exhibitions to be held within the state, except such as are conducted by universities, colleges, high schools, the military, and recognized amateur associations for contestants under sixteen years of age.
No professional boxers, professional mixed martial arts contestants, professional bare-knuckle mixed martial arts contestants, professional mixed martial arts on ice contestants, professional muay thai contestants, professional kickboxers, professional bare-knuckle boxers, or amateur mixed martial arts contestants, amateur muay thai contestants, or amateur kickboxing contestants who have attained the age of sixteen, shall participate in a match or exhibition for a prize or purse, or at which an admission fee is charged, either directly or indirectly, in the form of dues or otherwise, in this state except by a club, association, organization, or person licensed by the commissioner, as provided in section 81-8,130, and in pursuance of a license granted by the commissioner for such match or exhibition under section 81-8,130.01.
Sec.
OnSection page81-8,130, 1,Reissue lineRevised 6,Statutes strikeof "amateurNebraska, kickboxing,is andamended slapto fighting"read: and insert "professional muay thai, amateur muay thai, and amateur kickboxing".
-1-81-8,130 The State Athletic Commissioner may issue an annual license for conducting amateur mixed martial arts, amateur muay thai, or amateur kickboxing matches or exhibitions to any club, association, or organization.
Each application for a license shall be accompanied by a fee set by the commissioner in rule and regulation.
Such fee shall be not less than twenty-five dollars and not more than one hundred dollars.
Sec.
3.
Section 81-8,130.01, Reissue Revised Statutes of Nebraska, is amended to read:
81-8,130.01 Licenses and permits may be issued to professional mixed martial arts, professional bare-knuckle mixed martial arts, professional mixed martial arts on ice, professional muay thai, professional boxing, professional kickboxing, or professional bare-knuckle boxing promoters, whether persons, clubs, or associations, for the sole purpose of conducting professional matches under such rules and regulations as the State Athletic Commissioner shall adopt.
Each application for such license shall be accompanied by a fee set by the commissioner in rule and regulation.
Such fee shall be not less than one hundred dollars and not more than three hundred dollars.
If the promoter is an individual, the application shall include his or her social security number.
Sec.
4.
Section 81-8,132, Reissue Revised Statutes of Nebraska, is amended to read:
81-8,132 No license shall be granted unless the licensee has executed a bond in the sum of not less than one thousand dollars in the case of amateur mixed martial arts, amateur muay thai, or amateur kickboxing nor less than five thousand dollars in the case of professional mixed martial arts, professional bare-knuckle mixed martial arts, professional mixed martial arts on ice, professional muay thai, professional boxing, professional kickboxing, or professional bare-knuckle boxing.
The license shall be approved by the State Athletic Commissioner, conditioned on the faithful compliance by the licensee with the provisions of sections 81-8,129 to 81-8,142.01, the rules and regulations of the commissioner, and such other laws of the state as may be applicable to anything done by the licensee in pursuance of the license.
Sec.
5.
Section 81-8,133, Reissue Revised Statutes of Nebraska, is amended to read:
81-8,133 The State Athletic Commissioner is authorized to grant licenses to competent referees, upon an application and the payment of a fee set by the commissioner in rule and regulation.
Such fee shall be not less than ten dollars and not more than forty dollars per annum.
The commissioner may revoke any license so granted for such cause as may be deemed sufficient.
At every professional boxing, professional mixed martial arts, professional bare-knuckle mixed martial arts, professional mixed martial arts on ice, professional muay -1- LB635 LB635 2025 thai, professional kickboxing, professional bare-knuckle boxing, amateur mixed martial arts, amateur muay thai, amateur kickboxing, or professional sparring match or exhibition, there shall be in attendance a duly licensed referee, who shall direct and control the match.
The referee shall stop the match whenever he or she deems it advisable, (1) because of the physical condition of the contestants or one of them, (2) when one of the contestants is clearly outclassed by his or her opponent, or (3) for any other sufficient reason.
The referee shall, at the termination of every professional boxing, professional mixed martial arts, professional bare-knuckle mixed martial arts, professional mixed martial arts on ice, professional muay thai, professional kickboxing, professional bare-knuckle boxing, amateur mixed martial arts, amateur muay thai, amateur kickboxing, or professional sparring match or exhibition, indicate a winner.
The fees of the referee and other licensed officials may be fixed by the commissioner and shall be paid by the licensed organization.
Sec.
6.
Section 81-8,133.01, Reissue Revised Statutes of Nebraska, is amended to read:
Show all 92 changed lines (52 more)
81-8,133.01 The State Athletic Commissioner may grant licenses to qualified physicians, managers, matchmakers, and professional mixed martial arts, professional bare-knuckle mixed martial arts, professional mixed martial arts on ice, professional muay thai, professional boxing, professional kickboxing, professional bare-knuckle boxing, or professional sparring match or exhibition judges upon an application and payment of an annual fee set by the commissioner in rule and regulation.
Such fee for matchmakers shall be not less than ten dollars and not more than one hundred dollars.
Such fee for physicians, managers, and professional mixed martial arts, professional bare- knuckle mixed martial arts, professional mixed martial arts on ice, professional muay thai, professional boxing, professional kickboxing, professional bare-knuckle boxing, or professional sparring match or exhibition judges shall be not less than ten dollars and not more than twenty dollars.
The commissioner may also grant licenses to qualified timekeepers, contestants, and seconds upon an application and payment of an annual fee set by the commissioner in rule and regulation.
Such fee shall be not less than ten dollars and not more than twenty dollars.
The application shall include the applicant's social security number.
No person shall serve as physician, manager, matchmaker, or judge at any professional mixed martial arts, professional bare-knuckle mixed martial arts, professional mixed martial arts on ice, professional muay thai, professional boxing, professional kickboxing, professional bare-knuckle boxing, or professional sparring match or exhibition who is not licensed as such.
No person shall serve as timekeeper or contestant at any professional mixed martial arts, professional bare-knuckle mixed martial arts, professional mixed martial arts on ice, professional muay thai, professional boxing, professional kickboxing, or professional bare-knuckle boxing match who is not licensed as such.
The commissioner shall have summary authority to stop any match at which any person is serving in violation of the provisions of this section.
Any license granted under the provisions of this section may be revoked for cause.
Sec.
7.
Section 81-8,134, Reissue Revised Statutes of Nebraska, is amended to read:
81-8,134 (1) Any professional boxing match, professional mixed martial arts match, professional bare-knuckle mixed martial arts match, professional mixed martial arts on ice match, professional muay thai match, professional kickboxing match, professional bare-knuckle boxing match, or amateur mixed martial arts match, amateur muay thai match, or amateur kickboxing match conducted in this state which is labeled or promoted as a championship match shall have regional or national significance and the approval of a nationally recognized professional boxing, mixed martial arts, bare-knuckle mixed martial arts, mixed martial arts on ice, muay thai, kickboxing, or bare-knuckle boxing association.
(2) Professional boxing, professional kickboxing, professional bare- knuckle boxing, or professional sparring matches or exhibitions shall not exceed ten rounds in length, except in a championship match, which shall not exceed fifteen rounds.
No round shall be longer than three minutes.
At least one minute shall intervene between rounds.
Except for professional bare-knuckle mixed martial arts, professional kickboxing, or professional bare-knuckle boxing matches, the contestants shall wear during the contest gloves weighing at least eight ounces each.
(3) Professional mixed martial arts, professional muay thai, and professional bare-knuckle mixed martial arts matches or exhibitions shall not exceed three rounds in length, except in a championship match, which shall not exceed five rounds in length.
No round shall be longer than five minutes.
At least one minute shall intervene between rounds.
(4) No professional boxing contestant, professional mixed martial arts contestant, professional bare-knuckle mixed martial arts contestant, professional mixed martial arts on ice contestant, professional muay thai contestant, professional kickboxing contestant, professional bare-knuckle boxing contestant, or amateur mixed martial arts contestant, amateur muay thai contestant, or amateur kickboxing contestant shall be allowed to participate or take part in any contest in this state unless a duly licensed physician shall certify in writing that such contestant has taken a physical examination the day of the contest and is physically fit to engage in the proposed contest.
Sec.
8.
Section 81-8,135, Reissue Revised Statutes of Nebraska, is amended to read:
81-8,135 Every licensee conducting or holding any professional mixed -2- LB635 LB635 2025 martial arts, professional bare-knuckle mixed martial arts, professional mixed martial arts on ice, professional muay thai, amateur mixed martial arts, amateur muay thai, amateur kickboxing, professional boxing, professional kickboxing, or professional bare-knuckle boxing match shall furnish to the State Athletic Commissioner a written report showing the articles of agreement between the contestants, the number of tickets sold for each contest, the amount of the gross receipts thereof, the gross receipts from sale of any television rights, and such other matters as the commissioner shall prescribe.
Within such time the licensee shall pay to the commissioner a tax of five percent of the total gross receipts of any professional mixed martial arts, professional bare-knuckle mixed martial arts, professional mixed martial arts on ice, professional muay thai, professional boxing, professional kickboxing, or professional bare-knuckle boxing match or exhibition, exclusive of state and federal taxes, except the gross receipts from sale of television rights, and five percent of such rights, and five percent of the total gross receipts of any amateur mixed martial arts, amateur muay thai, or amateur kickboxing match or exhibition, exclusive of state and federal taxes, except that if such match or exhibition is conducted as an incidental feature in any event or entertainment of a different character, such portion of the total receipts shall be paid to the state as the commissioner may determine, or as may be fixed by rule adopted under section 81-8,139.
Sec.
9.
Section 81-8,138, Reissue Revised Statutes of Nebraska, is amended to read:
81-8,138 No contestant in any match or exhibition shall be paid for services until the same are rendered, and should it be determined by the State Athletic Commissioner that a contestant did not give an honest exhibition of his or her skill, he or she shall not be paid.
Any contestant who shall participate in any sham or fake professional boxing, professional mixed martial arts, professional bare-knuckle mixed martial arts, professional mixed martial arts on ice, professional muay thai, professional kickboxing, professional bare-knuckle boxing, or amateur mixed martial arts, amateur muay thai, or amateur kickboxing match or exhibition shall be disqualified and shall not thereafter be permitted to contend in any match or exhibition in this state, and any contestant who shall participate in any sham or fake professional boxing, professional mixed martial arts, professional bare-knuckle mixed martial arts, professional mixed martial arts on ice, professional muay thai, professional kickboxing, professional bare-knuckle boxing, or amateur mixed martial arts, amateur muay thai, or amateur kickboxing match or exhibition shall be guilty of a violation of sections 81-8,128 to 81-8,142.01.
Sec.
10.
Section 81-8,139, Reissue Revised Statutes of Nebraska, is amended to read:
81-8,139 (1) Except as provided in subsection (2) of this section, the State Athletic Commissioner shall adopt and promulgate such rules and regulations for the administration and enforcement of sections 81-8,128 to 81-8,142.01 as he or she may deem necessary.
Such rules and regulations shall include, but not be limited to, the establishment of written criteria for the granting and revoking of licenses, the setting of license fees, and the qualification requirements for those to be licensed as referees, physicians, managers, matchmakers, and professional boxing, professional mixed martial arts, professional bare-knuckle mixed martial arts, professional mixed martial arts on ice, professional muay thai, professional kickboxing, professional bare-knuckle boxing, or professional sparring match or exhibition judges.
He or she shall have the power and may control and limit the number of professional mixed martial arts, professional bare-knuckle mixed martial arts, professional mixed martial arts on ice, professional muay thai, amateur mixed martial arts, amateur muay thai, amateur kickboxing, professional boxing, professional kickboxing, professional bare-knuckle boxing, or professional sparring matches or exhibitions given, or to be held, each year, or within one week, in any city or town, or by any organization.
He or she may fine any licensee, except amateur contestants, an amount not to exceed one thousand dollars and may suspend for a period, not to exceed one year, any licensee's right to participate in or conduct any match or exhibition for unsportsmanlike conduct while engaged in or arising directly from any match or exhibition, failure to compete in good faith, engaging in any sham match or exhibition, or the use of threatening and abusive language toward officials, other contestants, or spectators.
(2) The State Athletic Commissioner may adopt and promulgate rules and regulations to identify a list of substances banned for use by any amateur or professional contestant and may require any contestant to submit to a test for banned substances as a condition for allowing the contestant's participation in a match or exhibition.
(3) The State Athletic Commissioner may suspend an amateur or professional contestant from competition for a period not to exceed one year and may fine a professional contestant an amount not to exceed one thousand five hundred dollars or forty percent of the prize or purse, whichever is greater, for a first offense of failing a test for a banned substance on the list developed pursuant to subsection (2) of this section or for refusing to submit to such a test.
He or she may suspend an amateur or professional contestant from competition for a period not to exceed three years and may fine a professional contestant an amount not to exceed three thousand dollars or seventy percent of the prize or purse, whichever is greater, for any second such offense.
He or she may suspend an amateur or professional contestant from competition for life and may fine a professional contestant an amount not to exceed five thousand -3- LB635 LB635 2025 dollars or one hundred percent of the prize or purse, whichever is greater, for any third or subsequent such offense.
For purposes of determining if an offense under this subsection is a first, second, third, or subsequent offense, failing a test for banned substances and refusing to submit to such a test shall be considered the same offense.
(4) Before levying an administrative fine pursuant to this section, the State Athletic Commissioner shall set the matter for hearing.
Proceedings to levy an administrative fine shall be contested cases prosecuted and appealable pursuant to the Administrative Procedure Act.
At least ten days before the hearing, the State Athletic Commissioner shall serve notice of the time, date, and place of the hearing upon the licensee or other violator by personal or certified mail service.
(5) The State Athletic Commissioner shall remit any administrative fines collected under this section to the State Treasurer for distribution in accordance with Article VII, section 5, of the Constitution of Nebraska.
Sec.
11.
Original sections 81-8,129, 81-8,130, 81-8,130.01, 81-8,132, 81-8,133, 81-8,133.01, 81-8,134, 81-8,135, 81-8,138, and 81-8,139, Reissue Revised Statutes of Nebraska, are repealed.
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View plain text versions (5)
- Chaptered Slip Law Current pdf
- Enrolled Enrollment and Review ER63 pdf
- Final Reading View text pdf
- General Affairs AM399 View text pdf
- Introduced View text pdf
AI-generated reading aid from the bill's amendatory text — verify against the official bill.
This bill expands the authority of the State Athletic Commissioner to include the regulation of additional combat sports, such as professional bare-knuckle mixed martial arts and professional mixed martial arts on ice.
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Section 81-8,129
professional bare-knuckle mixed martial arts, professional mixed martial arts on ice, professional muay thai,
The list of regulated sports under the State Athletic Commission now includes professional bare-knuckle mixed martial arts and professional mixed martial arts on ice.
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Section 81-8,130.01
professional bare-knuckle mixed martial arts, professional mixed martial arts on ice, professional muay thai,
Promoters can apply for licenses for professional bare-knuckle mixed martial arts and professional mixed martial arts on ice.
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Section 81-8,132
professional bare-knuckle mixed martial arts, professional mixed martial arts on ice, professional muay thai,
A bond must be executed for licenses concerning the newly included sports of professional bare-knuckle mixed martial arts and professional mixed martial arts on ice.
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Section 81-8,134(1)
professional bare-knuckle mixed martial arts, professional mixed martial arts on ice, professional muay thai,
Championship matches in the newly added sports require regional or national significance approval.
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Section 81-8,135
professional bare-knuckle mixed martial arts, professional mixed martial arts on ice, professional muay thai,
Reports and gross receipts will now include data from matches of the newly regulated sports.
Action History
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Approved by Governor on May 13, 2025
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Dispensing of reading at large approved
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Passed on Final Reading 45-2*-2
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President/Speaker signed
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Presented to Governor on May 9, 2025
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Placed on Final Reading
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Enrollment and Review ER63 adopted
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Advanced to Enrollment and Review for Engrossment
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Placed on Select File with ER63
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Enrollment and Review ER63 filed
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General Affairs AM399 adopted
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Advanced to Enrollment and Review Initial
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Placed on General File with AM399
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General Affairs AM399 filed
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Notice of hearing for February 10, 2025
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Referred to General Affairs Committee
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Date of introduction
Sponsors
- Ben Hansen · Primary
Sponsorship breakdown
Export CSV (upgrade) →1 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 48 not signed on · 4 voted No
Sponsors (1)
Co-sponsors (0)
None.
Not signed on (48)
48 members have not signed on to this bill.
Show all 48 →"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.
Votes
| Party | Yea | Nay | Present | Not Voting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unaffiliated | 45 | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| Total | 45 | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| % of votes cast | 92% | 4% | 0% | 4% |
How each member voted (49)
| Member | Party | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| McKeon | — | Yea |
| Meyer | — | Yea |
| Ashlei Spivey | — | Yea |
| Barry DeKay | — | Yea |
| Beau Ballard | — | Yea |
| Ben Hansen | — | Yea |
| Bob Andersen | — | Yea |
| Bob Hallstrom | — | Yea |
| Brian Hardin | — | Yea |
| Carolyn Bosn | — | Yea |
| Christy Armendariz | — | Nay |
| Dan Lonowski | — | Yea |
| Dan Quick | — | Yea |
| Danielle Conrad | — | Yea |
| Dave Murman | — | Yea |
| Dave Wordekemper | — | Yea |
| Dunixi Guereca | — | Yea |
| Eliot Bostar | — | Yea |
| George Dungan | — | Yea |
| Jana Hughes | — | Yea |
| Jane Raybould | — | Yea |
| Jared Storm | — | Yea |
| Jason Prokop | — | Yea |
| John Arch | — | Yea |
| John Cavanaugh | — | Yea |
| John Fredrickson | — | Nay |
| Kathleen Kauth | — | Yea |
| Loren Lippincott | — | Yea |
| Machaela Cavanaugh | — | Not Voting |
| Margo Juarez | — | Yea |
| Megan Hunt | — | Not Voting |
| Merv Riepe | — | Yea |
| Mike Jacobson | — | Yea |
| Mike Moser | — | Yea |
| Myron Dorn | — | Yea |
| Paul Strommen | — | Yea |
| R. Brad von Gillern | — | Yea |
| Rick Holdcroft | — | Yea |
| Rita Sanders | — | Yea |
| Robert Clements | — | Yea |
| Robert Dover | — | Yea |
| Stan Clouse | — | Yea |
| Tanya Storer | — | Yea |
| Teresa Ibach | — | Yea |
| Terrell McKinney | — | Yea |
| Tom Brandt | — | Yea |
| Tony Sorrentino | — | Yea |
| Victor Rountree | — | Yea |
| Wendy DeBoer | — | Yea |
| Party | Yea | Nay | Present | Not Voting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unaffiliated | 34 | 3 | 0 | 12 |
| Total | 34 | 3 | 0 | 12 |
| % of votes cast | 69% | 6% | 0% | 24% |
How each member voted (49)
| Party | Yea | Nay | Present | Not Voting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unaffiliated | 37 | 0 | 0 | 12 |
| Total | 37 | 0 | 0 | 12 |
| % of votes cast | 76% | 0% | 0% | 24% |
How each member voted (49)
Subjects
Frequently asked questions
- Who sponsors LB 635?
- LB 635 is sponsored by Ben Hansen.
- What is the current status of LB 635?
- This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced January 22, 2025. Enacted.
- Where can I track LB 635?
- Track LB 635 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.
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